Port Sudan, 25 April 2025 – Over 500,000 people in Sudan – including internally displaced persons (IDPs), refugees and members of host communities – will gain access to clean, safe and reliable water through a new UNDP project funded by the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED).

The 12-month project, Enhancing Access to Water Infrastructure for IDPs, Refugees and Host Communities, aims to deliver water to communities most affected by Sudan’s ongoing crisis, where over 12 million people have fled violence and face elevated risk of disease, food insecurity and economic hardship. Funded with a US$2 million grant from KFAED, the project will be implemented in 24 high-need locations across three states.

“With more than 17 million people lacking access to safe water, this support could not come at a more urgent time,” said Abdallah Al Dardari, Assistant Secretary-General and Director of the UNDP Regional Bureau for Arab States. “This project will provide a vital lifeline to hundreds of thousands of people – improving health, reducing tensions over scarce resources and helping communities recover with dignity.”

"This grant ensures the State of Kuwait's firm commitment to alleviating human suffering and improving the living conditions of communities and individuals at both regional and international levels,” said Waleed Shamlan Al-Bahar, Acting Director-General of the Kuwait Fund for Development. 

The project will install and rehabilitate 24 water systems, all powered by solar energy, supporting long-term sustainability and cutting carbon emissions. Each water yard will include overhead storage, distribution points, and protection infrastructure. This will bring clean drinking water within a 30-minute walk for over 500,000 people.

To ensure long-term sustainability, UNDP will train 48 local water and solar technicians and work with local authorities and communities to set up cost-recovery and maintenance systems, including establishing 24 Water User Associations. These groups will help manage and maintain the water systems and collect small commercial-use fees to sustain repairs and operations while keeping water supplies free for normal household use.

The project is part of UNDP Sudan’s broader work across the humanitarian-development-peace nexus, which includes livelihoods, access to essential services, healthcare, local governance and social cohesion. Previous water infrastructure projects implemented by UNDP have reached over 1 million people and bring 16m litres of clean water every day to priority communities.

“With Kuwait’s support, we’re not only improving health – we’re helping reduce pressure on host communities and creating local ownership and long-term resilience,” said Luca Renda, UNDP Sudan Resident Representative. “Projects like this clearly demonstrate the viability of recovery efforts, which are urgently needed in addition to humanitarian aid to help Sudan’s people survive the current crisis.”

For more information and to arrange interviews, contact:

Hajer Suliman, UNDP Sudan, Head of Communications, hajer.suliman@undp.org 

About UNDP Sudan 

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